Winter Shape Up 2014 Week 1 Workout + White Plum Giveaway

Hi guys! Are you ready to start this year’s WSU with a bang?!

If you are just joining in the fun, be sure to check out the into post for all of the details, including links to all of the meal plans, workouts, and your exclusive Facebook group. Also, use this post to check in each day for your amazing week 1 White Plum giveaway!

Here’s the Week 1 workout schedule:

(please shuffle around according to your unique needs and preferences)

Workout 1 (below)

Easy steady state: your favorite cardio dance class, a walk/run/jog, the Stairmill, rowing, or a cardio DVD are all great options

(Special thanks to my friend Meredith and Megan for their amazing hard work and energy, to Grant Hunker for his filming and editing skills, to Black Belt 4 Life for the beautiful space, and to Reebok for providing the fun tank, shorts and sneaks that I’m wearing in the video <3)

and printable/pinnable:

(an easy way to keep track of it is to save the image on your phone and pull it up at the gym)

Some form cues and tips:

This week’s workout is a combination of HIIT sets (5 minutes) and strength blitzes. It’s only a little over 20 minutes, but it is a DOOZY. Be sure to pace yourself, and as always, honor your body, modify as needed, and check with a doc before making any fitness changes. I tried to keep these workouts short, extremely effective, and as no-frills as possible. All you need is your body weight and a set of dumbbells.

Before you begin the workout, you should be warmed up (moderate cardio 5-7 minutes), hydrated and ready to go.

In the video, watch Megan for low-impact modifications and Meredith if you want to push it to the max!

HIIT drills:

-Side lunge to basketball throw: Try to keep your chest lifted and core tight as you perform the exercise. Aim for some dynamics and height change with your movements, as this will make the exercise even more challenging. As you throw the pretend basketball, spring up from your bottom leg and land softly.

-Squat jumps with rotation: (tip: if this is too much, regular squat jumps work, or you can check out Megan’s walk and rotate version) make sure to land softly with bent knees. As you spring up, reach your arms overhead, and try to create some lightness within the movement. Squat as low as you can and reach up as high as you can.

-Burpees! Any variation works. You can do sumo burpees, add a pushup, a wild burpee, your choice 😉

-Plank jacks: try to keep your hips in line with your body and your core tight. You can also walk out and in with your feet if you want to avoid jumping.

-The strength sets are very straightforward. For the lunge and bicep curl, focus on squeezing your glutes on the way up and squeezing your biceps. Keep your core engaged, shoulders back and down, and your chest lifted. For the bent-over row, keep your back nice and flat (pull your shoulder blades back to help) and knees slightly bent.

*If you find yourself wanting a longer workout, you can always combine workout 1 with this arm burner, this core workout, or this booty burner. You could also do the workout twice through for a 40-minute workout. A little note: aim to work out STRONGER, no longer! Quality trumps quantity, especially when it comes to fitness. Don’t do too much, as it can lead to overtraining, burnout and even injury. Be smart, mmm k?

From now until next Sunday night (2/2), comment below to check in for your workouts!

You do not have to be following the fitness plan exactly to participate in check-ins. Just leave a comment with what you did that day and how you felt. Each time you comment, you’ll be entered for our Week 1 giveaway, courtesy of our sponsor White Plum.

for a total of 15 winners. They also kindly offered a 20% discount code. Use the code “WINTERSHAPEUP20” to get 20% off all orders from now until February 1. I might need to order these leggings…

I hope you love this week’s workout!! Thank you in advance to all of you for your participation, energy and hard work! Anne and I are so happy to be a part of this year’s Shape Up. It’s exciting to watch you accomplish your fitness and health goals <3

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About Me

Hi, gorgeous! I'm so glad you're here. Welcome to The Fitnessista, a healthy lifestyle blog emphasizing quick workouts, quick recipes and adventures as a wife and mom. Though I am a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and weight loss specialist, the information posted here is not intended to substitute the advice of a medical professional. Please check out the About page for more info. Thank you for reading! <3